How to find the perfect glasses for your face shape and skin tone

If you renew your annual glasses prescription or get a new pair of glasses, it’s a great chance to change your look. Glasses can accentuate the best features of your face and show your personality if you know what to look for. If this is normally a time-consuming and frustrating process for you, try following these tips to make it a little better.

Don’t know where to start? With thousands of eyewear options available online and in store, you’ll want to consider several factors to make sure your new pair complements you. Luckily for you, our guide tackles how to choose the perfect pair.

How to determine the shape of your face

The shape of your face should be a vital factor in determining the style of frames you buy. After all, selecting the right pair enhances your facial features. Now, how do you determine the shape of your face? Yours cheekbones, forehead width and jaw length compose your facial shape. Here are the main characteristics of different face shapes, celebrities who share them and which frames are great no-nos to buy.

It’s round

Round faces tend to be more symmetrical – evidenced by your face being relatively long and wide. Your jaw or chin may also have a round appearance. There will be no hard corners, and the apples will not be the center of attention.

• Celebrities with round faces: Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Bosworth
• Frame shapes to avoid: Small or round frames clash with rounded facial features. Instead of highlighting your strengths, it accentuates the shape of your face, making it look rounder.

Oval face

Oval faces are longer than they are wide. You will notice other distinctive features such as a rounded chin and jawline and a wider forehead. With a longer face and rounded features, it naturally forms an oval.

• Celebrities with oval faces: Jessica Alba, Gigi Hadid, Adam Levine and Mila Kunis
• Frame shapes to avoid: Larger eyeglass frames disrupt the symmetry of your face.

Heart shaped face

How does a face make a heart shape? Start with a prominent and wider forehead. Then, as your eyes trace, you will notice smaller apples, with corners that become sharper, ending with a pointed chin – similar to the bottom of a heart.

• Celebrities with heart-shaped faces: Reese Witherspoon, Nick Jonas, Scarlett Johansson and Naomi Campbell
• Frame shapes to avoid: You need to take the attention away from your forehead to make your face look more symmetrical. With this in mind, refrain from any frames with ornate tops.

square face

The jawline is the focal point of a square face, as it will have tighter angles than other facial elements. Moving from the jawline, you will see that it shares the same width as your cheekbones and forehead, creating a symmetrical and square look.

• Celebrities with square faces: Angelina Jolie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sandra Bullock and Demi Moore
• Frame shapes to avoid: Don’t go for glass frames (boxy or angular) that share similar angles to your face. The result will make your face look bigger than it actually is.

diamond face

Your cheekbones will be the most prominent feature of a diamond-shaped face. Your forehead and jawline are smaller, allowing your cheeks to take center stage. Because they are somewhat similar in shape, the only differentiating factor between heart-shaped and diamond-shaped faces is the width of your forehead. Heart-shaped faces tend to have a wider forehead than diamond-shaped ones.

• Celebrities with diamond faces: Viola Davis, Tyra Banks and Liz Hurley
• Frame shapes to avoid: Narrow frames will not be your best facial friend. Instead of enhancing your best facial attributes, they emphasize the narrow features of your face.

Read more: The best Glasses and Contacts

Consider whether your face has sharp or soft angles

As part of your new look, your facial angles are one of the most influential aspects.

• Strong angles: Square and heart-shaped faces feature sharper angles. When determining the frames, think of contrasting shapes. For square-shaped faces, use curved frames to soften the sharper corners of your face and give it a slimmer look. For heart-shaped faces, round glasses move the eyes away from the forehead to give the face a more symmetrical look.
• Soft corners: Round and oval faces are made up of softer angles. With round faces, go with square or cat-eye frames, because it can make your face look smaller. You can achieve a similar effect with wider frames for heart-shaped faces.

How to determine which colors match your skin tone

Skin tone it also plays a prominent role in the type of frames you select. Since you want to establish continuity in the shape of the face, you need to choose a frame that is similar in color to your skin tone. Here are some tips to help you achieve this look:

Warm skin tone

Bronze, yellow or gold skin tones invoke feelings of warmth.

• Colors to avoid: Blue, bright pink, black and white frames contrast with warmer skin tones.
• Best colors: Olive green, honey, beige and light tortoise are colors that suit your skin tone best.

Fresh skin tone

Blue and pink skin tones indicate fresh skin.

• Colors to avoid: Yellow, bright orange and dark brown don’t go well because they don’t enhance your facial features.
• Best colors: Black, silver, pink, purple or gray frames will be your facial allies.

Read more: Pair Eyewear Review

The best eyeglass frames for your face shape

Once you have determined the shape of your face, you will want to decide which frame complements it best. Here are the most suitable for each type:

round face: Aim for rectangular frames with bold angular lines. In turn, these can make your features sharper.

Oval face: Oval faces are more versatile. Wide frames with a strong bridge enhance your facial features.

Heart-shaped face: Find frames that toe the line between balancing a narrow chin and a larger forehead for a more symmetrical look. Frames with heavy bottom lines that are slightly wider than your forehead will also help you achieve this.

square face: Rounder frames soften the angles of the face. If it is paired with a lens that is a little wider than your cheekbones, you will create more symmetry in the face.

diamond face: Cat eye and oval glasses enhance your cheekbones.

Consider your lifestyle

Your glasses should also be practical for your daily activities. You may want a pair for gaming, long working days in front of a screen or reading to reduce eye fatigue. If you’re active, having flexible frames that won’t break when bent is a perfect match.

Let your personality shine

Ultimately, your frames should reflect your personality and style. You might want a fun and flirty pair for the weekend out with friends. A more refined yet cute pair for the office – it’s fun but also means you mean business. You can keep in mind the considerations of this guide, there are no rules. If the frame and color make you happy and confident, that’s all that matters.